oups
/ups/
The English phrase "uh oh" can be translated into French as oups.
The exclamation oups is used to express a minor mistake or a sudden realization, functioning very similarly to "oops" in English.
Which one should you use?
oups is used for minor slips or accidents, making it feel less heavy than oh non, which is reserved for more serious or distressing situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
oups is an informal exclamation. In casual contexts, you might also hear Ah mince! used among friends and acquaintances to express mild surprise or unfortunate mishaps or the colloquial Zut! to express annoyance or mild dismay in everyday situations.
How do you pronounce it?
/ups/
Did you know?
- French speakers may use oups as a way of apologizing to an inanimate object, such as a wall or a table, after a clumsy bump.
- While oups is common, French speakers often use zut to express a similar feeling. This word was popularized in the 19th century as a polite substitute for a much harsher swear word.
- Although it sounds like the English 'oops', the French oups is actually considered a borrowed word rather than a native part of the language.
Examples in context
- Oups, j'ai oublié mes clés.Uh oh, I forgot my keys.
- Oups, je suis en retard.Uh oh, I am late.
- Oups, j'ai renversé mon café.Uh oh, I spilled my coffee.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are cooking together in the kitchen.
- EmmaOups, j'ai mis trop de sel.Uh oh, I put in too much salt.
- LucasC'est grave ?Is it bad?
- EmmaOui, c'est beaucoup trop salé.Yes, it's way too salty.
- LucasOn va devoir recommencer.We're going to have to start over.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oups, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries oups, CC BY-SA 4.0.
